N.C. Man Uses Social Media to Dramatize Hot Car Deaths

One Greensboro, N.C. man was so fed up with a recent spate of hot car deaths that he decided to send a message to everyone in hopes of combating the problem.

According to Greensboro CBS affiliate WFMY, Terry Williams used his cell phone to tape a video of himself sitting in a hot car with the windows rolled up. In the video, he presents a plea to adults to experience sitting in a car, so they know how dangerous and unpleasant it is when kids are left alone.

“It’s 86 to 90 degrees and I’m sitting in the car with the windows rolled up cause I want you to know how it feels to be left in a car sitting in the backseat, strapped to a car seat, with the widows up and doors probably locked,” Williams said in the clip.

In the video, Williams visibly sweats, and later says he is struggling to breathe despite having a stronger body than most children. According to the television station, a child’s thermoregulatory system is not as efficient as an adult, and their body temperature can rise three to five times faster than an adult’s. A study conducted by San Francisco State University found that the temperature in a car can go up 19 degrees in just 10 minutes, and that within an hour a car’s temperature can rise as much as 60 degrees.

This massive rise in temperature can cause cell damage, and eventually the body’s internal organs will shut down. According to the university study, at least 16 children have suffered heat stroke deaths, which motivated Williams to get his point across through his video.

His message quickly went viral and many people have followed in his footsteps by sitting in a car and spreading his message.

“This one is for you Terry Williams, and all the little kids that didn’t get to live their wonderful life because someone forgot them in a hot car,” said one man from Hampton, Va. who posted a video.

Williams’ video has received more than 3,000 views with a slew of positive comments.

“Thank you for thinking to say and do something sir,” commented one man, Thomas Daniels.

Williams said he is happy his message is getting out, and wants those that love their kids to not make a tragic mistake and understand the reality of the problem.

“People think it can’t happen to them, but it can happen to anyone, Williams told WFMY.